Jewellery Legends Series: Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor was part of the kind of Old Hollywood very few remember. She was there at the inception of what would become this juggernaut industry which has brought so many unforgettable stories into our lives. But, this iconic actress was known for many things: her undeniable talent, her classic beauty, her romantic entanglements, and, perhaps most famously, her love of jewellery.
Her assortment of diamonds and various other gemstones became one of the most talked about and coveted private collections in the world. It features rare gems and historically important pieces that she accumulated over the years. Some from her partners, some she chose herself.
Taylor didn’t just collect jewellery for its aesthetic value; she understood its beauty, the craftsmanship involved, and the importance of its meaning. Not to mention how much of an investment opportunity some pieces were. The star’s enduring passion for jewels, including quite a few engagement rings, all contributed to the magnificence of her legendary collection.
International Violet
Elizabeth Taylor was born in 1932 in London and her striking beauty and rare violet-hued eyes lent themselves perfectly to the silver screen. This legendary actor had a career that spanned over six decades and is considered the last huge star to come out of the old studio system in Hollywood.
She began acting as a child in the early 1940s, gaining fame with National Velvet at the age of just 12 years old. Taylor transitioned successfully into adult roles, earning critical acclaim for performances in films such as Giant and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress making her not only a huge celebrity but also highly renowned for her craft, and, of course, her amethyst colour eyes.
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Conrad ‘Nicky’ Hilton (1950-1951)
Yes, the same Hilton that’s related to Paris and Nicky. He was Elizabeth Taylor’s first husband and gave her a 4ct diamond engagement ring in a platinum band reportedly worth $10,000 at the time. Though practically demure compared to some of her later pieces, it was the start of her lifelong relationship with diamonds.
Michael Wilding (1952-1957)
British actor Michael Wilding, her second husband, proposed with a sapphire engagement ring surrounded by diamonds. This was a departure from the traditional solitaire and highlighted her growing taste for coloured stones.
Mike Todd (1957-1958)
Film producer Mike Todd gifted Elizabeth Taylor with a stunning 29.4ct emerald cut diamond ring. She often referred to this as her favourite piece from Todd, before his terribly tragic death just over a year into their marriage. He also lavished her with other jewels, including a diamond tiara, which she famously wore in Cannes. A true queen.
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Eddie Fisher (1959-1964)
Fisher’s proposal was overshadowed by a bit of a scandal surrounding their relationship (he was married to Debbie Reynolds), so he gave Taylor a stunning bracelet featuring diamonds and sapphires. Though not a traditional engagement ring, it represented them as a couple in their own unique way.
John Warner (1976-1982)
Senator John Warner’s engagement ring was more understated, reflecting the movie star’s shift to a quieter public life when she was a bit older. It was a simple diamond ring, though still of considerable size, because let’s face it, it’s still Elizabeth Taylor.
Larry Fortensky (1991-1996)
Her last husband, construction worker Larry Fortensky, proposed with a pavé set diamond ring. Though modest compared to all her previous pieces, it symbolised a completely different chapter in her life. Plus, she’d already amassed a rather fabulous collection by then.
The Richard Burton of it All (1964-1974, 1975-1976)
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor’s relationship was one of the most famous and tumultuous romances in Hollywood history. A romance so passionate they married twice. They met while filming Cleopatra in 1962 and began a highly publicised affair, despite both being married to other people at the time. Brace for whiplash, but: they got married in 1964, divorced in 1974, remarried in 1975 before divorcing for a final time in 1976. Scandalous.
Their relationship was straight out of the movies they starred in, marked by intense passion, dramatic arguments, and lavish displays of affection, that added to Liz’s collection. Burton gifted Taylor numerous pieces of extraordinary jewellery, including the Asscher cut 33.19 ‘Krupp Diamond’, which was later renamed the ‘Elizabeth Taylor Diamond’. This ring became one of her signature pieces that she would wear almost every day. Completely understandable. Then there was the 69.42ct ‘Taylor-Burton Diamond’, plus the historic ‘La Peregrina Pearl’, which he had set into a custom necklace.
These gifts were such a huge part of their theatrical relationship, that they became the stuff of legend. Despite their many separations, Burton and Taylor remained very close until his death, even writing each other letters about how their lives were going. Their love story has since become the subject of many films and TV shows, packed with drama, glamour, and a lot of jewellery.
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Reflections in Gold: Her On-Screen Jewellery
Elizabeth Taylor was known to look just as amazing on-screen as well as off, and some of her roles required some exquisite jewellery. Some were costume pieces, while others were genuine, either borrowed or from her very own collection.
Cleopatra (1963)
During the filming of Cleopatra, the star was constantly adorned with elaborate Egyptian-style jewellery, much of it custom-made for the production. While not necessarily real, this regal and historic style was a big influence on her later personal choices, especially when it came to chunky gold and gemstone combinations. The opulence of this film is unmatched.
Boom! (1968)
This film wasn’t a big commercial success so not many people might have seen it, but it was a collaboration of love with her partner Richard Burton and playwright Tennesee Williams. It also featured Taylor wearing quite a few of her own pieces, including the legendary ‘Krupp Diamond’. It’s actually worth seeing, not only for the chemistry between the leads but also to see some of her stunning jewellery sparkling on the screen.
Jewels On a Hot Tin Roof
Elizabeth Taylor’s jewellery collection is one of the most well-known of all and earned over $115 million at auction after her death. All of the proceeds were donated to the charities that she fervently supported throughout her life. Many of the pieces are sure to end up as cinematic crown jewels in their own right. Some of the most famous and fabulous are:
The Taylor-Burton Diamond
Perhaps the most famous of all, this substantial diamond was estimated at 69.42ct, and was cut into a pear shape. Burton is said to have purchased it at auction in 1969 for over $1 million which must now be worth multiple times more. It was (shockingly) deemed too heavy to wear as a ring, so was set as a necklace, which Taylor wore to Princess Grace of Monaco’s 40th birthday party. That sounds about right.
The La Peregrina Pearl
This was a 16th-century pearl once owned by Spanish royalty. Burton gave it to his love as a Valentine’s Day gift in 1969. Liz then had it reset, incorporating pearls, rubies and diamonds to make a very special piece of jewellery. It was one of her favourite pieces that she wore quite a lot.
The Taj Mahal Diamond
Burton also gifted her the Taj Mahal Diamond, a heart shaped gemstone, dating back to the Mughal Empire. He gave it to her for her 40th birthday, and it was set in a gold and ruby necklace so it could be worn close to her heart.
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The Girl Who Had Everything
Elizabeth Taylor’s love of jewellery was rooted in an appreciation for history, beauty, and a lot of personal significance. Each piece in her beloved collection told a story. Some were tales of romance, some were a celebration of her artistry or even a particular moment in her impressive life.
There was an array of engagement rings and historical pieces; these jewels were more than adornments, they were part of her identity. After all, to have not one but two iconic diamonds named after yourself is rather impressive. Her legacy in the world of jewellery is as enduring as her film career, continuing to inspire collectors, viewers and admirers all around the globe.
